Page 43 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
Chapter 34
Ethan was surprised to see that it was Lady Matilda who stepped through the library door, and not his father. He expected her brother to be following in her trail, but she was alone, which confused him even further.
The lady walked towards him with a wide smile. She was looking pleased about something, which played on his conscience. By the smile she was affording him, if he had not known better, he would have thought her to be flirting with him.
Brushing that thought aside as nonsense, he was more concerned over them being alone together in a room with a closed door. Not wanting to appear impolite, he assumed she must have lost her way around the manor house and needed guidance.
“Are you lost, Lady Matilda?” he asked, standing up to greet her. “It can be like walking through the garden maze when you are not familiar with the layout of the manor. Perhaps you are trying to find your brother?”
“Oh no, Lord Ethan, I was seeking out the library with a purpose in mind.” She smiled, and her eyelashes fluttered back at him. “I find myself in need of a novel to read whilst my brother discusses the boring details of business with Lord Anthony. Can you recommend one for me, so that I do not need to linger?”
Knowing how most ladies enjoyed the nature of romance novels, Ethan strolled over to the bookcase he had been looking at earlier. Although he did not wish to appear unfriendly, he did want her out of the library as quickly as possible.
Besides, she should not stay too long in a room unchaperoned, it would not be good for her reputation. She was a most charming young lady, and he would not wish anyone to misconstrue the situation they had found themselves in.
As he arrived at the bookshelf, she strolled over to join him. This move surprised him somewhat, as it meant that they were standing side by side. Being alone with her and in such proximity was causing him a little discomfort. The situation was made even worse when she leaned even closer to him and spoke almost in a whisper.
“I would like a romance, if I may, my lord,” she said in a low voice, causing Ethan to wonder at the nature of her statement.
“I know the right book for you,” he said, louder than necessary, as he stepped away to put a respectable distance between them.
His mind was racing with confusion. Here was a young lady looking for a romantic novel, and he was assuming incomprehensible thoughts. Surely, it was nothing more than an innocent mistake, and he should stop thinking otherwise
“Ah, here it is,” he announced, pulling a book from the shelf.
As he looked at the title to check he had taken out the correct book, he turned to find her by his side once again. An inner voice was screaming in his head to escape from being alone with an unattended lady. Yet she did not seem to care about the position she was putting herself in. Better that he delivered the book to her quickly, so that she could then leave the library.
“Romeo and Julietwill that do?” he asked as her hand reached out to take the book from him. “Shakespeare is always a worthwhile read,” he said, forcing a smile. He hoped that his assistance would now conclude her business in the library.
Instead of taking the book from his hands, she placed her hand on top of his, looking up at him with a wide-eyed stare.
“It is most gracious of you to help a lady in need,” she remarked.
“I am happy to be of help, Lady Matilda,” he said, conscious of her closeness once again. “At least now you can be on your way and enjoy a very good novel.”
“Oh, I will enjoy whatever you recommend, my lord,” she said, keeping her hand over his as they both held the book between them. “Although I must admit, I have read this one before. It is a sad affair of two lovers, do you not agree?”
As she spoke, she moved ever closer to him, making him feel most uncomfortable with the situation. He could only assume that she was not aware of the intimacy their nearness presented. So far, he had said nothing, not wishing to alarm her by any sudden movement.
“I have read it many times over, and it never ceases to impress me,” he replied, hoping that would be the end of the matter and she would simply take the book from him.
Matilda did reply. Instead, she remained where she was standing and continued to look up into his eyes. Ethan convinced himself that it was time for him to step away, whether it offended her or not. Yet she held the back of his hand firmly on the book. Should he pull away with force it might embarrass her, and he did not wish to do that.
The only thing he could do, under the difficult circumstances, was to pretend that he had not noticed her over-familiarity. If he ignored her usual behaviour, then she would give it up. Though her actions had surprised him. Still, he did not wish to cause her any embarrassment.
The seconds felt like minutes, and the minutes felt as though they stretched into hours. Ethan knew he must act soon and end this situation. Preparing to pull his hand away with force, the library door suddenly swung open.
Matilda threw herself at him, causing him to lose his footing. Ethan tripped backward, holding onto the bookshelf with one arm. Matilda came forward and fell into his other arms. It all happened so fast that Ethan’s mind was in a spin.
“Oh, Lord Ethan,” Matilda cried out as she let out a girlish giggle.
Ethan struggled to keep his balance and held onto her arms as he attempted to stop himself from falling onto the floor.
“Goodness me!” he heard his sister’s voice call out. In his unbalanced state, he glanced over at the door to see his sister with Lord Thomas.
Cynthia’s eyes locked with his and her hand moved to her mouth at the shock of finding her brother in such a compromising situation.
“Lord Ethan, unhand my sister!” Thomas cried out with a look of anger on his face.
